Lindokuhle Zikhali (right) celebrates after scoring what turned out to be the winning goal for Richards Bay against Golden Arrows. Photo: BackpagePix
Richards Bay broke a five-game losing streak after defeating Golden Arrows 1-0 at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale on Saturday afternoon.
The Natal Rich Boyz found the decisive goal halfway through the second half and lifted themselves off the bottom of the Premiership table.
Just as it seemed another instalment of the KZN derby was heading for a draw, Richards Bay youngster Lindokuhle Zikhali found the breakthrough for the visitors in the 75th minute.
The 19-year-old midfielder popped up at the right place to ensure his side got a reward for their second-half endeavour by scoring his first professional goal.
The attention around the Arrows technical team had dominated the headlines leading up to this match, with head coach Mabhuti Khenyeza still absent from his duties.
The interim duo of Musa Bilankulu and Kagisho Dikgacoi made two changes to the side that beat Cape Town City last time out in Hammarsdale.
Right back Brandon Theron and defensive midfielder Nhlanhla Zwane made their way into the starting XI for Thokozani Lukhele and captain Nduduzo Sibiya, who were on the bench at the start.
On the opposite side, having struggled with goals in the early parts of the season, the Richards Bay technical team handed Thabiso Kutumela his first start since signing at the start of the season.
Despite their differing positions on the league standings, the two teams seemed evenly matched in the opening stages, with the ball possession exchanged poorly as both teams struggled to gain control.
It was only in the 32nd minute that the first decent chance of the game fell in the way of Richards Bay striker Yanela Mbuthuma.
The energetic striker failed to show composure after he was found by a pinpoint cross into the box, and his attempt went up in the air before it was cleared by Arrows defender Gladwin Shitolo inside the six-yard box.
And that’s all the game would provide in the way of goalmouth action as the two teams struggled for rhythm, leading to a dull opening 45 minutes and the game heading towards a goalless stalemate.
The heavy rain in the second stanza made for a game that was filled with control errors from both teams, which opened the door to a possible goal.
Zikhali’s 75th-minute strike was followed by a double substitutions from Arrows, who looked to get themselves back into the game with attackers Thokozani Lukhele and Zambian-born Moyela Libamba.
In reply, the visitors shut up shop by introducing experienced defender Tshepo Mabua for goal-scorer Zikhali.
And that was all it would be as Richards Bay clinched an invaluable three points on the road and moved off the bottom of the table momentarily.
The Natal Rich Boyz will now prepare for a difficult test against Mamelodi Sundowns on December 28, while Arrows will hope to have fixed their issues when Polokwane City come to visit on the same day.